He had a couple of high-profile stinkers for sure. However, when you look at his actual output for last season in numbers per 90 he's absolutely comparable to Dan Neil across the board. Bit worse on passing as you'd expect (and definitely needs to up his creativity) but slightly ahead on defensive numbers and higher shot volume. Also he's less likely to be dispossessed than DN. Not saying he's Neil's equal, but there's definitely an element of certain games sticking in our minds and distorting our view of the lad. Given the very real phenomenon of second season syndrome, I really think it would be a mistake to let Ekwah go. Particularly when you consider that we'll be losing anywhere from 1-3 central midfielders next summer if we don't get promoted.
People saying AA is lazy. He said he outworked Rig. You cannot say bad things about Rig or you will be lynched by some
I love to see distance covered Neil-vs-Ekwah or times sprinted, something like that. I feel like he dallied on the ball more than Neil and didn't track back as urgently. Also Neil is all action (more areas of the pitch, i assume), that's not something you could describe Ekwah as. I like Ekwah btw, but we should be realistic.
I like Ekwah, i feel with that bit more experience he could become a top championship CM, however, i feel the money we would get from selling him could make the squad stronger We need a natural CDM to back up Neil, n maybe in some games play alongside him so feel seeing ekwah n using the money there would make us stronger Adil is a talent for sure, his decision making is poor but i like that hes always trying to positive. I would only sell him if we got a decent fee, if he left we would need to replace him tho. Matete n embleton arent good enough imo n will need moved on.
This. Rigg will be forced into that team this season because he’s a new golden boy. AA looks a player imo but realistically I don’t think he’s going to get much minutes this season, certainly not from the start.
Haven't got access to distance numbers (just working off the basics on whoscored) but their tackle and interception numbers are basically identical. Ekwah better on clearances (assuming that's set piece related). All that can be done is to fill in the blanks but he's marginally ahead on defensive actions and takes a fair few more shots. So at least he's active at either end of the pitch. All this isn't to say that Ekwah is as important to us as Neil. He isn't. But in terms of the raw output, he's not miles away. And that makes him a very useful player to have in the matchday squad.
This is an interesting question about how we build a squad, for me. It's similar in a way to the striker conundrum. The likelihood is that Neil will play defensive midfield virtually every time he is fit and not suspended. That's what his talent, standing within the club and development path dictates. Should we sacrifice Ekwah for what may amount to a very small handful of minutes? Would we be better served by assuming that one of the others can do the job on the limited occasions when we can't play DN? Should we bring in a young player who we think can step up in emergency? All arguable points IMO. Personally I wouldn't be bringing in another senior DM unless it's very much in the style of the Moore signing we've made as keeper. An old head who is very clear that he won't be playing very much unless something goes wrong.
This is probably an unpopular opinion, but here goes: Embo is good enough to be around the first team squad, he is very versatile and has been at the club for over 10 years (knows it inside out). Here's my case. His last season in the team was 22/23 (playoff season) under Alex Neil and Mowbray, you'll remember he was injured badly against Hull and missed the rest of the season. Up until that point he featured in 23 of all 23 league games and made more starts than subs, for the record. He can play on both flanks, play in two roles in the middle (box-to-box and attacking), has very good set piece delivery and is both footed. For the sake of 200k or whatever we'd make on him, If Ekwah and or Aouchiche does go, I think he's worth taking the gamble on and keeping around for another season. *tin hat on*
It's not a bad point. I thought he did canny against Bradford. He seemed to have a bit of pace about him which surprised me. He isn't good enough for where we want to go but if very technical and versatile as you say.
I like Ekwah a lot as a player. I think he has a lot going for him as an 8. My issue with him, is his desire for the dirty stuff. Will he head it? It looks to me like he doesnt want to. Might be harsh. I would be really tempted to play him as a 10. Not in the traditional sense of a 10, but as a keep it moving between wing players and a licence to hit the shot. If we had an orthodox 9 holding it up, winning first balls, I could see Ekwah doing that role really well.
Some good points, if Neil stays fit n performs at a high level then there isnt massive concerns with someone like browne filling in for the odd game - then rigg or ekwah playing the browne role. The key is having depth across all positions, Neil is that talented that if we needed him to play as the box to box midfielder for a bit then it would be great to have a natural CDM to replace him. Theres also succession planning, if we dont go up this season then Neil will be away so by getting a quality back up in now it gives them time to settle into the club before being relied on weekly Squad building is really tough, and some will make out that its easy on here but very few teams get it spot on. I look across the championship this season and theres holes in every team/squad I just feel selling someone like ekwah for decent money will allow us to bring in at least 2 players (obviously the aim is for those players to be of a higher standard)
No need for a tin hat on, as thats your opinion and youve explained why I dont mind embleton but the biggest concern i have is his ability to get around the pitch. He is so slow to cover the ground, he offers very little out of possession for us and just feel he lacks the physicality to play for a team challenging towards the top of the championship Would i be disappointed if he stayed, no i wouldnt as i do like his technical ability - i just dont feel he impacts games at all
I always hoped that EE could reprofile himself. Two footed, good passer, a bit nasty. Feels like its inevitable that he'll move deeper as his career progresses. As prehab says he's not slow in moments. The big issue with him (and what worried me about the Bradford game) is his motor - or lack of it. If he wants to play in the engine room he'll have to be able to get about the pitch better. Did we ever find out if he actually is on 20 a day?
Personally feel that Rigg is the perfect replacement for Adil. Loves to get forward and loves the club
Bit of an eye opener that, I would have said from watching the matches that he was lagging well behind Neil in defensive stats. Seems I've been underrating the lad.
As always the answer lies somewhere in between so you shouldn’t rely exclusively on one or the other. My own view is that counting stats have the advantage of being completely dispassionate, though, so I’d tend to bias towards those slightly. Fans in the ground will always go the other way, understandably, and follow the emotional thread. That’s why individual games and moments end up disproportionally impacting a players standing amongst the fanbase.
